Hungary has long been a standard inclusion on most Eastern European tour programs. Now, although it’s not yet a stand-alone destination for the majority of U.S. travelers, Hungary is attracting a more diverse range of visitors.

Bob Drumm

“We’ve moved from ethnic travelers visiting Eastern Europe to a new generation who are going for the delights of Budapest and Hungary’s cuisine, wine and history,” said Bob Drumm, president of General Tours.

“Hungary has grown immensely in popularity because it’s a beautiful country with great food and nice people – and prices are still reasonable,” added Laura DiCarlo, managing director of Eastern Europe for Isramworld.

The country and its capitol city of Budapest offer great value, particularly compared with other European cities, according to David Lutz, product manager for Collette Vacations.

David Lutz

“For a capital city, you’re talking about a great value compared to Paris or even Vienna,” he said. “Travelers can get a glimpse of Old World Europe – the pre- and post-communism days – and stay at a comfortable Marriott.”

Tour operators involved in the market offer agents a number of practical pointers on how to position Hungary to convert growing interest in the destination into increased sales.

1. Sell first-time visitors on a river cruise.River cruises provide travelers with an excellent introduction to Hungary, according to Lutz. “The amazing thing about Danube River cruises is that they all begin and end in Hungary,” he said, adding that shore excursions into Budapest pique traveler interest in delving deeper into the city and the country on an extended land tour.

“River cruising is generating a lot of interest in Budapest,” added Drumm. “People get a taste of the place and go back.”

2. Promote the diversity of Budapest’s hotel accommodations.“Many new hotels have opened which offer travel agents new and expanded opportunities to sell Hungary to different types of clients,” said DiCarlo. “In the five-star luxury category there’s the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel which was originally the Gresham Palace, and the very deluxe Kempinski Hotel Corvinus. There are moderate deluxe offerings like the Marriott – with all Danube-facing rooms – and the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal. There are also good four-star hotels like the Eurostar and a new Marriott Courtyard.”

3. Sell to well-traveled, well-heeled Baby Boomers.“Consider selling Hungary to Baby Boomers in their mid 50s who are well traveled and fairly affluent,” advised Marc Kazlauskas, president of Insight Vacations. “They’ll see this part of the world as a little adventurous.”

4. Emphasize Hungary’s history and culture.“Familiarize yourself with the opportunities Hungary and Budapest offer,” said Nico Zenner, president of Brendan Tours. “Budapest is often referred to as the Paris of the East, a city composed of two cities, pedestrian areas, recent and more distant history – and above all magnificent architecture,” he said. “Hungary is very well-suited for travelers who have been to Europe before and are interested in history and architecture.”

Nico Zenner

5. Position your clients for a repeat visit to Hungary as a stand-alone destination. Drumm suggested that during the qualification process with clients agents emphasize that Budapest and Hungary are a highlight on any Eastern European tour – and feature a formidable number of attractions that warrant more in-depth exploration. “The countryside to the west and southwest is very storied and untrammeled by a lot of modernism, so you can get a sense of Old World European life,” he said. “It has its own cuisine, fine wines, a lot of history, and a tempestuous past.”

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Consider selling Hungary to Baby Boomers in their mid 50s who are well traveled and fairly affluent. They’ll see this part of the world as a little adventurous.

Marc Kazlauskas, Insight Vacations

SPA TRAVEL, HUNGARIAN STYLE

Hungary’s spas and health resorts have an array of product offerings agents can sell to clients interested in health and wellness travel.

But first, said Andras Bolgar, president of Tradesco Tours, “travel agents have to understand what Hungarian spas are all about.”

To begin with, “A spa trip always starts with a physician’s exam,” he said. The client is then in position to choose an appropriate treatment, which can range from treatment for movement disorders to simply enjoying a pampering, stress-reducing spa experience.

“The health resorts in Budapest and Hungary are very reasonably priced and cost about $1,500 for a two-week spa package based on double occupancy, which typically includes accommodations, six treatments per week, and the physician’s check up,” Bolgar said.